After Louis Theroux’s latest documentary sparked a whole lot of conversation (and concern) over the growing popularity of ideologies shared by certain manosphere influencers, a parent has opened up about the subtle signs she noticed her sons were being influenced by such views years ago.

For those who haven’t come across the term, the manosphere is “a collection of websites, social media accounts and forums dedicated to men’s issues, from health and fitness to dating and men’s rights”, according to Robert Lawson, associate professor in sociolinguistics at Birmingham City University.

Yet it’s increasingly become associated with more extreme views – particularly anti-women and anti-feminist sentiments, as seen in Theroux’s documentary.

The impact of this kind of content is concerning – and parents and teachers are seeing it trickle down to school-age children. Not only can it impact the mental health of boys and men, per UN Women, but it amplifies harmful sexist stereotypes, teaches dangerous social and dating behaviour, and makes both digital and real-life spaces more hostile for women and girls.

Mandy Hickson, a former fast jet pilot who is now a motivational speaker, began to notice subtle changes in her two sons, then in their mid-teens, seven years ago “before figures like Andrew Tate [a self-proclaimed misogynist influencer] were widely known”.

In an Instagram post, she noted their language, tone and the way they spoke about women gradually changed.

“We started to notice a shift in attitude rather than behaviour initially, with small comments that didn’t quite align with the values we’d brought them up with,” she tells HuffPost UK.

“For example, despite growing up in a home where both my husband and I worked equally and shared parenting responsibilities, they began questioning why I would ‘want’ to work at all.“

There were comments suggesting that a woman’s role should be at home, and that men should be the providers. This was particularly surprising given they had grown up seeing a strong female role model in me as a former fast jet pilot.”

At the same time, their views on success and self-worth were also shifting.

“They began making quite extreme statements about money and status,” says Hickson. “For example, suggesting that if they reached a certain age and didn’t have significant financial success or material markers like expensive cars, they would see themselves as failures.

“That kind of black and white thinking felt very out of character.”

It wasn’t a case of simply shutting the conversation down. “It would have been easy to challenge or dismiss those views outright, but instead we tried to stay curious,” Hickson explains.

“We asked questions like ‘Where have you heard that?’ or ‘Why do you think that matters?’, creating space for discussion rather than confrontation.”

The couple also made a conscious effort to reinforce their own values – around respect, partnership, and the idea that success isn’t one dimensional – through everyday conversations. “It wasn’t about lecturing, but about consistently offering a broader perspective,” she adds.

Experts generally agree lecturing teenagers is not an effective strategy, and listening without judgment is often the key to getting them to open up.

Hickson notes she also began supporting her sons in develop critical thinking skills, particularly in terms of questioning the content they were consuming.

“Rather than banning platforms or individuals outright, we talked about how algorithms work, how certain voices can be amplified, and why extreme views often gain traction,” she says.

“That seemed to help them step back and question what they were seeing.”

She advises parents to look for small shifts in language and attitudes (some boys might start referring to girls as ‘females’, for example), not just behaviour.

• Stay open and curious rather than immediately critical.
• Keep communication lines open, even when what you’re hearing is uncomfortable.
• Help your children question what they’re consuming, rather than simply trying to control it.
• Model the values you want them to hold, because that consistency really matters over time.

“It’s not a quick fix, and I don’t think any parent gets it perfectly right, but staying engaged and present in those conversations is key,” she adds.

In her Instagram reel, she also suggested boys need to actively be shown positive male role models because otherwise “the algorithm will show them something else”.

“This isn’t about blaming boys, it’s about paying attention,” she ended. “Because I’ve seen how quickly it can happen and how quietly it can grow.”

Expert comment from Dr Amanda Shea, who holds a PhD in molecular biology and has contributed to ovarian cancer research and is the fractional chief science officer at period and cycle tracker app Clue.

This January, a menstrual leave petition asking the government to “introduce statutory paid menstrual leave of up to three days per month for people with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis” was launched.

It has since passed 100,000 signatures, and so has met the threshold for parliamentary debate.

The topic will be debated in Westminster Hall. Menstrual leave already exists in countries like Spain, Portugal, Taiwan, Zambia, and Vietnam.

But in, e.g., Spain, the law has “hardly been used”, The Guardian reports.

HuffPost UK spoke to Dr Amanda Shea, who holds a PhD in molecular biology and has contributed to ovarian cancer research, about how to make laws like these more effective.

Menstrual leave policies like those introduced in Spain and Portugal “appear progressive” and “mark an important step in acknowledging menstrual and reproductive health at policy level,” Dr Shea said.

“Yet early reports suggest uptake has been low, likely due at least in part to persistent stigma, fears around job security, and concerns around being seen as unreliable or unproductive.

“This raises the question: are these policies truly helpful, or are they symbolic gestures that signal progressiveness without addressing the deeper cultural changes that are needed?”

That’s not to say that paid menstrual leave couldn’t be beneficial. As Dr Shea told us, “Menstrual pain and related symptoms can be genuinely debilitating and they deserve to be taken seriously. For some, menstrual symptoms can significantly affect their ability to work, and time off may be necessary, just as it would be for any other health condition”.

Her workplace, Clue, already uses paid menstrual leave. It’s not about discouraging laws which could make the lives of those suffering from painful conditions easier.

Sarah Ottawa, the chief people officer at the company, said that the policy has gone down well with employees, adding that her team “were very intentional about making the policy clear and stigma-free”.

But, Dr Shea said, more broadly. “The reality is that culture needs to evolve to match the intent of the policy. Many people still don’t feel safe disclosing menstrual pain, let alone using menstrual-specific leave. Without strong protections against discrimination, clear leadership support, and more open conversations about menstruation, these policies risk falling short.

“Importantly, supporting menstrual and reproductive health will require more than a single policy. It calls for systemic change that includes better health education, more research into female-prevalent conditions and treatment options, and improved access to quality care.”

Then, there’s the fact that paid period leave would only cover those with diagnosed conditions. We know that women’s health issues remain disproportionately ignored and undiagnosed.

“Workplace policies are just one part of the bigger picture, and when they focus solely on leave, or apply only to a narrow set of symptoms or diagnoses, they risk excluding many people, reinforcing that pain should be endured in private, and missing the wider challenges people face in managing their health.”

Take, for instance, PMDD, which can leave people in serious distress and is period-related but often happens days before menses begins. “People with autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, digestive conditions like IBS, or menstrual migraines often experience symptom flare-ups during certain phases of the cycle,” the expert added.

“It’s also important to dispel the myth that all menstruators need leave. Most don’t experience severe symptoms, and policies should reflect that menstrual experiences vary widely. Often, more flexible and inclusive solutions – like the ability to work from home, adjust hours, or take time for medical appointments – can be more effective.”

Those needs often extend beyond periods to fertility treatments, miscarriage recovery, postpartum support, and perimenopause care, too.

As we’ve said, paid menstrual leave can be a great step forward.

But to make it most effective, Clue’s reproductive health specialist, Eve Lepage, said: “A thoughtful menstrual leave policy would be one that recognises menstruation as a spectrum of experiences, from regular, manageable cycles to severely debilitating symptoms due to conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, or PMDD.

“It would offer flexible, non-discriminatory support.”

• Leave it as an option, not a rule. People should be able to take time off when they need it, but it shouldn’t be assumed that everyone will or should.
• No requirement for proof or disclosure. Many people never receive formal diagnoses, often because of barriers in the healthcare system. Requiring a doctor’s note just to access support can leave people behind.
• Integration into broader wellness support. Menstrual leave should exist alongside things like flexible hours, remote work options, mental health days, and reproductive health leave, so it reflects the full range of cycle-related needs.
• Education to reduce stigma. Workplace education should accompany the policy to challenge outdated views of menstruation as shameful or disruptive.
• Inclusive language and design. Not all people who menstruate identify as women, and policies should reflect that.

Gen Zers and millennials may technically be neighbors on the generational timeline, but culturally, they sometimes feel a universe apart.

From communication styles to news consumption to how they show up on social media, the two generations often approach the world in very different ways. And those differences can sometimes cause friction.

We asked millennials to share the Gen Z behaviours that stress them out. Of course, habits vary from person to person, but certain patterns and tendencies still emerge.

“I am a big fan of normalising mental health conversations and people having access to the help they need. In fact, I love that about Gen Z. But with access comes misusing and misinterpreting words, like ‘triggered’ or ‘narcissism,’ as well as a rise in self-diagnosis. As a psychiatrist, I regularly see people who think they have a condition because TikTok told them they do. I appreciate that they show up in my office and ask about it to learn more, because not everyone does that step, and that TikTok even informed them about a diagnosis that resonated to begin with ― but it can sometimes lead to hard conversations when I say, for example, that not all trouble concentrating is ADHD.” ― Dr. Jessi Gold, psychiatrist and chief wellness officer at the University of Tennessee System

“I have noticed that Gen Z struggles with basic in-person social skills and communication. They are digital natives and can struggle to translate those skills to in-person interactions. The term ‘Gen Z stare’ exists for a reason; it’s real.” ― political and news commentator Millennial Mia

“Three words: choreography in public. Doing a full routine on the top of the Empire State Building? Airport acrobats? All of it makes me feel so uncomfortable! Also, has anyone else noticed an uptick in people crossing the street whenever they feel like it? I see people fully look up at a green light, then look me in the eyes sitting in my car and wave and then walk. Is there no fear?” ― Balsham

“I think that Gen Z can turn even a stressful or traumatic moment into a funny post on TikTok and IG. Us Millennials do that sometimes as well, but Gen Z has a very specific way about it. Their house could be burning down and they’d post on social media ‘first house fire kinda nervous.’ They are so unserious and I find that very entertaining, impressive and stressful all at once haha. (I’m obligated as a millennial to end every sentence with a haha or lol).” ― lifestyle content creator Shaunie Begley

“Social media makes so many of my patients feel like they have to tell their entire life story to be considered ‘authentic’ and to get likes and follows. Sometimes that means they trauma dump publicly, instead of trying it out with a therapist and psychiatrist to process it privately first. Telling your story isn’t as easy as just saying it out loud, especially when public confessions often lead others to tell you their stories, too, or you open yourself up to criticism and trolls. I love that they want to talk about all of these hard topics and break down the stigma of the silence of them, but I just wish they just shared when they were emotionally ready, and not because they thought they were supposed to!” ― Gold

“They love to speak about subjects that they have zero experience in and their information comes from entertainment. They quote TikToks and Reels not understanding that most of the information is clickbait and not backed in facts or actual research.” ― Greivy, lifestyle influencer

“Growing up, my generation got called ‘lazy’ a lot by the generations before us. Now, even the generation after us seems to enjoy actively critiquing millennials, especially online! All through TikTok I’ve learned that, according to Gen Z, we aren’t parting our hair ‘correctly,’ we rely too heavily on the French tuck and most recently I saw a video calling out the ‘millennial smile.’ I’ll be completely honest, I did start parting my hair down the middle a few years ago in response! But as I get older, I care less and simply find it amusing. The amount of time Gen Z seems to spend deconstructing millennial characteristics feels… unique.” ― Nausheen Farishta, travel expert and author

“My biggest pet peeve is when Gen Zers criticise or make fun of our ‘dated’ clothing. I don’t remember our generation doing that to Gen Xers when we were in our 20s. And I’m not talking about looking back and laughing at the styles in old photos ― I’m talking about real-time comments in 2026, like pointing out when someone wears ankle socks or still rocks skinny jeans. Honestly, maybe we just don’t want to spend $100 on new jeans every year to keep up with the latest trends. For a generation that claims to care about sustainability, secondhand shopping and reducing clothing waste, it feels a bit hypocritical to judge others for not constantly updating their wardrobes.” ― Nadine Sykora, travel vlogger

“One thing I genuinely admire about Gen Z is how intentional they are about work-life balance. Millennials definitely started pushing that conversation, but Gen Z is actually enforcing it. They’re clear about their boundaries, what they want, and what they’re not willing to compromise on ― and I respect that. On the flip side, if I’m being honest, that same confidence can sometimes come across as entitlement. There can be an expectation of flexibility, growth or reward without always putting in the same level of time or grind that previous generations were used to. It’s a shift ― and not always a bad one ― but definitely noticeable. Overall, though, I think Gen Z is challenging norms in a way that’s forcing everyone to rethink how we work, date, and show up in the world ― which is pretty powerful.” ― Erin C., content creator

“They can be easily be discouraged and distracted when working on anything that’s not their personal interest! Blaming others for their lack of skill and experience instead of seeing it as a learning curve. And they also tend to take everything personal ‘why bother if it doesn’t serve me’ mentality it drives me crazy!” ― Greivy

“You’d think what stresses me out most is the recycling of 2000s fashion ― low-rise jeans, capris, platform sandals ― but it’s actually the casual posting with minimal curation. As millennials, perfectionism, overthinking and curation are basically in our DNA. The 2010 era was all about aesthetically cohesive feeds and matching Ludwig filters. I’ve gotten better at posting on the fly, but I genuinely admire Gen Z’s ability to post whatever they want, whenever they want.” ― Kate Steinberg, social media personality

“As Gen Z establishes itself in the workplace, there’s a learning curve on all sides. As the first generation of ‘digital natives’, the way Gen Z communicates (or doesn’t) at work could prove not only annoying but also confusing to their colleagues. I’ve been brought in to lead workshops for Gen Z in corporate settings on what effective communication and executive presence look like on the road to success, while we also explore ways to stay true to themselves along the way.” ― Farishta

“Their communication style can be a bit confusing for millennials. They use completely different emojis, memes and online shorthand, which sometimes makes it hard to understand what they mean right away.” ― Valerie Melnikova, comedian

“I’d say their relationship with social media is… a lot. And that’s coming from someone in the influencer space. There’s a level of constant immersion that can feel overwhelming at times ― like, log off and go touch grass for a second.” ― Erin C.

“I feel a deep sadness for them that they have no idea what life was like before social media when you just lived life for yourself and the moment and didn’t need to have a discourse with friends about what to post or who is watching your stories. I don’t think a single Gen Zer has ever been to a beach without posting a picture of their knees. Never has a glass of rosé been drank that wasn’t photographed. An Aperol spritz in Italy has never gone unstoried. There’s something about this need for attention that is deeply stressful” ― Balsham